Concealed Carry And Permits
Concealed Carry Corner: Stop Carrying So Much Junk
Concealed Carry Corner: Stop Carrying So Much Junk
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍United States
Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at different personalities in the gun community and what they carry. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I wanted to look at how some people carry way too much when carrying a concealed firearm. It's not hard to keep accumulating items until it just becomes overwhelming and you end up not carrying at all, which is exactly what you don't want. The key to success is carrying just enough to make it through the day without having any of the extra clutter. Let's take a closer look at how to stop carrying so much junk. Less Is More When it comes to carrying a concealed handgun, less truly is more and if you carry more than the bare minimum, it's wasted energy in most cases. Ive certainly been there where I was carrying two flashlights along with a small utility knife as well as a larger knife for self-defense on top of my main carry gun and extra magazines. I felt like my pants were a boat anchor and it just became a lot to the point where I wanted to leave the house without anything. The simple truth is, you need a small handgun to start out with basically nothing else besides a good holster. People love to add on small trinkets here and there to be more prepared for the classic what if things happen and you need more ammo. So many people think you need a full LEO loadout to leave your house. There are countless items that are sold to concealed carriers as must-haves and it's simply not true. Modern pistols have more capacity than they did in the past, so the idea that you need multiple magazines is just not true. You can certainly carry multiple items in your vehicle with a tier-based system, but not everything should end up on your body. Everything non-essential or a backup item should either go into a backpack or into your vehicle rather than being shoved in your pockets or somewhere on your body. Common Mistakes The number one mistake I see is when people shove their pockets full of extra magazines, knives, lights, or less-than-lethal tools. I cannot tell you how many people I have met who carry pepper spray, a collapsible baton, multiple spare magazines, and a variety of flashlights alongside their main carry items. There's such a low chance you'll ever need to draw your firearm for self-defense and if you do, statistics show that the average threat will take only 1-3 rounds before the confrontation ends. This notion that you will need multiple reloads is mostly driven by media portrayals and misconceptions shaped by film narratives. In reality, if you find yourself in a self-defense situation, it is statistically improbable to experience a prolonged engagement involving many magazines and multiple weapons. Its vital to base your carry choices on actual statistics rather than assumptions formed by cinematic violence. The KISS Method One of my favorite methods when it comes to carrying is to Keep It Stupid Simple. This philosophy urges you to carry only what is necessary to navigate your day successfully. Personally, I often carry a Glock 48, my wallet, keys, phone, and sometimes a utility knife, and thats it. Most days, I forgo carrying a spare magazine or flashlight because I tend to be home before nightfall. Theres nothing wrong with adapting your carry loadout based on your specific circumstances, such as extended outings or nighttime activities. If you plan to venture out after dark, integrating a weapon-mounted light and a handheld light would be prudent. The key takeaway from this discussion is to scrutinize your carry essentials critically. If something is unnecessary, it belongs in your backpack or car, not on your person. Define your loadout into two Overall Thoughts Reflecting on this, I can wholeheartedly understand how one can quickly accumulate extra gear until it becomes burdensome. Carrying only the essentials simplifies life and minimizes fatigue, which is crucial for anyone who values the idea of concealed carry. If additional items are necessary, I recommend storing them in a bag or your vehicle, ensuring they are accessible yet not encumbering you throughout the day. What items do you deem essential for your daily carry? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you have questions about concealed carrying or firearms in general, feel free to reach out. Stay safe out there and look forward to our next installment of Concealed Carry Corner.